The Ballad of Mulan Summary Class 7 English Oxford

About the Poet

The ancient Chinese ballad "The Ballad of Mulan" was translated by Hans H. Frankel. Frankel was a well-known translator and scholar who specialized in Chinese literature and culture. He dedicated his life to bridging the gap between Chinese and Western literary traditions, bringing classic Chinese works to a broader audience through his translations.

Key Points of the Poem

• The poem follows the story of Mulan, a young woman who disguises herself as a man to take her father's place in the army.
• It consists of multiple stanzas that detail Mulan's actions and experiences during her time in the military.
• Mulan buys a horse, a saddle, a bridle, and a whip before leaving for the army without her family's knowledge.
• She travels far, enduring harsh conditions and battles, ultimately earning great honors upon her return.
• The poem concludes with Mulan returning home, revealing her true identity to her astonished comrades.

Detailed Summary

Stanza 1

Mulan weaves, facing the door.

You don't hear the shuttle's sound,

You only hear Daughter's sighs.

They ask Daughter who's in her heart,

They ask Daughter who's on her mind.

"No one is in Daughter's heart,

No one is on Daughter's mind.

Last night I saw the draft posters,

The Khan is calling many troops,

The army list is in twelve scrolls,

On every scroll there's Father's name.

Father has no grown-up son,

Mulan has no elder brother.

I want to buy a saddle and horse,

And serve in the army in Father's place."

In this part of the poem, Mulan is busy weaving near the door. She is so focused on her weaving that she doesn't even hear the usual sound of the weaving shuttle. Instead, she is only hearing her daughter sighing. People around her are curious about what she is thinking and feeling. When asked, Mulan says that there is no one special in her heart or on her mind. She reveals that she had seen posters announcing that the Khan, the ruler, is recruiting many soldiers. The army's list is long, with her father's name appearing on every scroll. Since her father doesn't have a grown son and she doesn't have an older brother, Mulan decides to take his place in the army. She expresses her desire to buy a horse and a saddle to serve in her father's stead. This stanza sets the stage for Mulan's brave decision to disguise herself as a man to join the army in her father's place.

Stanza 2
In the East Market she buys a spirited horse,
In the West Market she buys a saddle,
In the South Market she buys a bridle,
In the North Market she buys a long whip.
At dawn she takes leave of Father and Mother,
In the evening camps on the Yellow
River's bank.
She doesn't hear the sound of Father and
Mother calling,
She only hears the Yellow River's flowing water
cry tsien tsien.

In this part of the poem, we see Mulan's determination to join the army. She goes to different markets to buy everything she needs for her journey. In the East Market, she buys a strong horse. In the West Market, she gets a saddle, and in the South Market, a bridle. She also buys a long whip in the North Market. After preparing herself, she leaves her parents at dawn and camps by the Yellow River in the evening. She is so focused on her mission that she doesn't hear her parents calling out to her. Instead, all she hears is the sound of the flowing water of the Yellow River. This showcases her dedication and single-mindedness towards her goal of serving in the army.

Stanza 3
At dawn she takes leave of the Yellow River,
In the evening she arrives at Black Mountain.
She doesn't hear the sound of Father and Mother calling,
She only hears Mount Yen's nomad horses cry tsiu tsiu.
She goes ten thousand miles on the business of war,
She crosses passes and mountains like flying.
Northern gusts carry the rattle of army pots,
Chilly light shines on iron armor.
Generals die in a hundred battles,
Stout soldiers return after ten years.
On her return she sees the Son of Heaven,
The Son of Heaven sits in the Splendid Hall.
He gives out promotions in twelve ranks
And prizes of a hundred thousand and more.
The Khan asks her what she desires.

In this section, Mulan begins her journey towards the army. She bids farewell to the Yellow River at dawn and reaches Black Mountain by evening. Again, she doesn't hear her parents calling out to her but only hears the cries of nomad horses in Mount Yen. Mulan travels a long distance, enduring various terrains and weather conditions. She faces battles and harsh environments, symbolized by the noisy army pots and the shining iron armor under the cold light. Despite the challenges, she perseveres and earns great respect in the army. When she returns, she is honored by the Son of Heaven, who rewards her with promotions and prizes. The Khan, impressed by her achievements, asks her what she wishes for.

Stanza 4
"Mulan has no use for a minister's post.
I wish to ride a swift mount
To take me back to my home."
When Father and Mother hear Daughter is coming
They go outside the wall to meet her, leaning on each other.
When Elder Sister hears Younger Sister is coming
She fixes her rouge, facing the door.
When Little Brother hears Elder Sister is coming
He whets the knife, quick quick, for pig and sheep.
"I open the door to my east chamber,
I sit on my couch in the west room,
I take off my wartime gown
And put on my old-time clothes."
Facing the window she fixes her cloud-like hair,
Hanging up a mirror she dabs on yellow flower powder
She goes out the door and sees her comrades.
Her comrades are all amazed and perplexed.
Travelling together for twelve years
They didn't know Mulan was a girl.

In the final stanza, Mulan expresses her desire to return home rather than seeking a high-ranking position. When her parents hear that she is returning, they eagerly wait outside the wall, supporting each other. Her sister prepares herself with makeup upon hearing the news, while her little brother sharpens a knife to prepare a feast. Mulan changes back into her traditional clothes, symbolizing her return to her former life. She then meets her comrades, who are astonished to discover that Mulan, whom they have fought alongside for twelve years, is actually a woman. This ending highlights Mulan's bravery, sacrifice, and the astonishment of those around her upon learning her true identity. 

Theme/ Message

Theme:

• The primary theme of "The Ballad of Mulan" revolves around bravery, sacrifice, and loyalty. 
• It showcases Mulan's courage to defy traditional gender roles and societal expectations to protect her family and country.

Message:

• The poem explores the challenges of conforming to traditional gender roles and the lengths one may go to fulfill familial duties.
• It highlights Mulan's bravery in defying conventions and her unwavering dedication to her family and country.
• The narrative celebrates Mulan's resilience and the eventual recognition of her sacrifices and accomplishments.

Difficult Words

1. Weaves: Creates fabric by interlacing threads.
2. Shuttle: A device used in weaving to carry the thread back and forth.
3. Spirited: Full of energy and enthusiasm.
4. Bridle: The headgear used to control a horse.
5. Rouge: Red-colored cosmetic used for cheeks and lips.
6. Comrades: Close companions or friends.
7. Perplexed: Confused or puzzled.
8. Resilience: The capacity to recover quickly from difficulties.
9. Conventions: Social norms or traditional practices.
10. Unwavering: Firm and steady.
11. Sacrifices: Acts of giving up something valuable for the sake of others.
12. Accomplishments: Achievements or successes gained through effort and skill.
13. Recognition: Acknowledgment or appreciation for one's actions or qualities.